Claudia Sheinbaum has been elected as Mexico’s first female president in a historic landslide victory, securing 58% to 60% of the vote, according to preliminary results.

The 61-year-old former mayor of Mexico City defeated her main rival, businesswoman Xóchitl Gálvez, by nearly 30 percentage points. Sheinbaum will succeed her mentor, outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, on October 1, and has pledged to continue his policies.

Celebrations erupted in Mexico City’s Zócalo, where supporters waved banners proclaiming “Claudia Sheinbaum, president.” Sheinbaum, whose Jewish grandparents fled from Europe to Mexico, has a distinguished background as an energy scientist and climate change expert. Before her presidential bid, she was the mayor of Mexico City, a role seen as a stepping stone to the presidency.

The election, marking a significant milestone for women in Mexico, also saw all members of Congress, eight state governors, Mexico City’s head, and thousands of local officials elected. However, the campaign was marred by violence, with over 20 local candidates killed.

Gálvez criticized the government and Sheinbaum for the ongoing violence, promising tougher measures against criminal cartels, though lacking specific plans.

Sheinbaum’s campaign benefited significantly from López Obrador’s support, leveraging his nearly 60% approval rating and the Morena party’s success in reducing poverty. Voters endorsed the continuation of these policies, seeing them as a winning strategy despite other contributing factors like increased remittances from abroad.

#MaltaDaily